Chapter 11 [Dining Hall—Two Turns of the Hourglass Later]
Rodor strode into the dining chamber. Nemeth's fortunes weighed heavily on his mind. His visit with the wounded knights under healers' care took up most of the afternoon. Hardliners' attitude soured the Royal Council meeting. His temper flared at Kay's Arthur-Mithian marriage proposal. Merlin's absence concerned him. Depression weighed him down. Some assistance! This feels more like an occupation than an alliance! His eyes narrowed.
Around himself, servants set the polished dining table. Goblets and utensils sat in assigned positions. Covered plates still awaited back in the kitchen downstairs. At his presence, motion stopped. Everyone bowed or curtseyed to him.
"Thank you, Everyone. As you were." Rodor motioned for them to rise. He drifted toward his usual chair. Granted, he never showed up early. Still, Hunger nagged at him. His walk failed to settle his nerves.
Mithian edged into the chamber. Caution and even Paranoia prompted looks all around. The servants' unease and Rodor's depression nearly drove her back out into the passage. Static and burning disrupted her thoughts. She braced herself against the wall. How am I going to deal with this sensitivity? It's so MUCH! I….
"Daughter?" Rodor snapped out of his funk. Parental Instinct prompted him to her side. "Mithian, are you all right?" He shook her arm.
"Sire?" Mithian glanced over her shoulder toward the door. Then, back toward him. "Pardon me. I did not mean to intrude. My walk ended early. I have so much…." Respect prompted the royal nod. Protocol distanced her from him. Familial and Political Roles clashed with one another.
"I can tell. You are never interrupting me." Rodor broke through the proverbial royal context. He embraced Mithian. "Everyone, your preparations look in order. Please leave us and close the door behind you. The Princess and I require privacy." He watched them depart the area and shut the door. "All right. We are now alone. It will be all right."
"Thank you, Father." She savored his reassurance. For several heartbeats, she took it all in. Then, she stepped back. He rubbed her forehead. "Pardon. I fear for my safety to be honest. With Aredian and King Uther…."
"What about them?" Rodor tensed. He studied her. Intimidation seemed to cow her for some reason. His eyes narrowed. "They have not threatened you. Have they?"
"Nay. Not yet…anyway." She paced about the chamber. Questions bobbed about in her mind. She mulled over how to tell him about her evolving state of affairs. Then, Accolon's and Morgana's engagement had potential to set him off as well. "Prince Accolon and Lady Morgana were very considerate, Father. Kings Uther and Ruthbert have been busy it seems."
"Aye. A Camelot courtier made an inappropriate suggestion to King Uther about Prince Arthur and you." Rodor raised his eyebrow. "I would never let that happen! I want no part of a union with Camelot. No part!" Indignant sniff pressed past his lips. "I just finished making that very point to your brother."
"He favors it, I suppose?" Her eyes rolled. A frown curled in on itself across her face. Despite the questioning tone, she could well imagine Kay's interest in that regard. That marriage would bury Nemeth under Camelot's boot. Either Arthur or Kay would rule after Rodor's death. Hardline policies would take over. "Nay, Father. We cannot let that happen."
"I know." Rodor patted her on the arm. "I would never let that happen. I fear that your brother has spent too much time around the likes of Count Bernard of Astolat, Lord Aethelwald, King Uther, and King Doun of the Holy Roman Empire. I have tried to reason with Kay. He will not listen to me. He thinks us to be spelled or worse." A rueful snigger spurted from his lips. "I was going to tell you both this later. Can I have your confidence, Mithian? I mean it. Not a soul can know."
"Absolutely, Sire! What is it? Is he all right?" she pressed. Her own issues took a backseat. Despite their disagreements, Kay was her brother after all. His health (as hers) concerned Nemeth.
"King Bors has asked for his sword. Since Kay wishes to play knight, I am sending him to Gaul. He respects King Bors. King Bors and his son practice tolerance at their court. Let Kay learn some of that from them in Parisius. There are potential marital alliances to benefit us as well. You may recall Gertrude of Brittany? Her father has proposed an alliance. I know you and she spent time together just after our unfortunate experience with King Ruthbert. Given those connections, I would prefer that. If you need asylum against a potential coup, I have been working on such places. For a marriage, I would rather find you an alliance closer to here." His hand stifled a cough. "Lady Reyna has foretold that someone would come forward from close by. He is in our midst. She has told you to be patient?"
"She did, Sire. Our first duty is to Nemeth and our people. I have to serve and look after you." She curtseyed to punctuate her statement. "I want to be happy as well."
"Of course, you do. I appreciate that. Rest assured I have a plan. I will not share it yet. This is not an appropriate time." He patted her shoulder. "Just have faith, Daughter. Now, there is another matter. I kept it from Kay and you. He pressed me about certain rumors. He did not like my response." Lament weighed heavily upon his face. "Lady Reyna reminded me of certain things." His finger rubbed across his chin.
Her eyebrow arched. "Oh?" Ultra-Orthodoxy and Hardliner Attitude drove Kay in many unwelcome regards. For some reason, she sensed her brother's outrage on her father. "What is that? I…." Burning irritated her skin. Headache once again pounded at her temples. "Father, pardon! Oh…not again! It….It…"
"Mithian! Mithian, what is it?" He grabbed onto her. "I will get Master Wyngate! He will know what to do! I…."
"NAY!" She grabbed at her head. Pain seared her mind. Tears flowed down her cheeks. I…." Canary flashed through her eyes. Her scream echoed throughout the chamber. Energies flowed from her.
Spell's energy affected everything. He stumbled back against the wall. Water and Wine rose within their pitchers. Candles' flames flared. Window banged open. Chill Wind billowed into the area. Several heartbeats passed with such activity. Then, it all ceased. Wine and water splattered. Flames returned to normal. Wind returned to normal.
Mithian slumped to her knees. Sobs choked her. Mask of State failed her. Trembles quaked her form. "I…I…have magic? I…" Fear gripped her. Her eyes slowly moved toward him. "S…Sorry."
He collected himself. "Sorry for what? There is nothing to be sorry for, Mithian. That is what I was going to speak with you about." He closed the window. Assessment noted the spilled water and wine. Otherwise, place settings needed to be set again. "I fear this is the worst possible time for this to happen."
"But, Father! I have magic! I will make things difficult! I…." Protests chased one another from her mouth to his ear.
"You are doing NO SUCH THING! This is your heritage! Your grandfather had magic. Your mother never showed any tendency. I would not…." He grabbed onto her. "I will keep you safe. So help me. You cannot worry. They will never touch you."
"Sire, the hardliners! Count Bernard! Lord Aethelwald! Even Kay! They'll dethrone us over this!" Panic grabbed onto her resolve. "We are the only hope for sorcerers!" She threw her hands up in the air. "You are saying Grandfather was a warlock? How?"
"He died before Kay and you were born, Mithian. How I wish your mother were here with us. She would help us. I fear there is no one." He shook his head. "I wish we could speak to Lady Reyna. She is being watched too closely I fear." Options ran through his head.
Princess, open the door. I am right outside, Accolon called to her.
"There may be someone else, Sire." She pulled herself to her feet. She rubbed her head. "We have other allies." She managed to meander to the door.
"Daughter, we cannot… King Uther or even your brother…." He looked around at the mess. Desperation flailed about to piece a plan together. Explanations and half-truths knocked about in his mind.
She opened the door. "Prince Accolon?" She slumped up against the doorframe.
Surprise it seemed was in the air….